5 Favorite Compound Butters Using Fresh Herbs
Compound butter is simply softened butter mixed with flavorful ingredients. Fresh herbs, garlic, citrus zest, spices, honey, salt, and pepper can all be folded into butter to create a ready-to-use finishing ingredient for cooking and spreads.
For gardeners, compound butter is one of the easiest ways to use fresh herbs while they are abundant. It is not a shelf-stable preservation method, but it can be refrigerated for short-term use or frozen in small portions for later use.
How to Preserve Fresh Herbs for Culinary Use
How Compound Butter Is Typically Made
Compound butter starts with softened butter. The butter should be soft enough to stir but not melted. Once the butter is workable, chopped herbs and flavorings are mixed in until evenly combined.
The butter can be spooned into a small container, slightly chilled, then rolled into a log with parchment paper, or portioned into small scoops. Once fully chilled, it can be sliced, spread, or melted over hot food just like regular butter.
Common Ingredients for Compound Butter
Fresh herbs are typically the main ingredient in herb compound butter. Parsley, chives, basil, dill, rosemary, thyme, sage, and tarragon all work well.
Other common additions include garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, black pepper, flaky salt, honey, mustard, paprika, crushed red pepper, or grated Parmesan.
The best combinations are usually simple. Butter is a great flavor carrier, so a few good ingredients are usually enough to make a tasty finishing ingredient or spread.
How Compound Butter Is Used
Compound butter is most often added at the very end of cooking.
A generous pat of herb butter can melt over grilled steak, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, corn, fish, chicken, warm bread, rice, pasta, or eggs. It can also be used to season vegetables before roasting or tucked under the skin of chicken before cooking.
How to Make it: Basic Method
Use this method for each compound butter recipe below.
Let 1/2 cup butter soften at room temperature.
Add herbs, seasonings, and other ingredients.
Mash together with a fork until evenly combined.
Taste and adjust salt, herbs, or acid as needed.
Spoon into a small jar or chill for 15-30 minutes, then roll into a log with parchment paper.
Chill fully until firm.
1. Garlic Herb Butter
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped chives
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients into softened butter until evenly combined. Chill before serving.
Best With
Steak, chicken, roasted potatoes, corn, green beans, bread, and scrambled eggs.
Link to Recipe Card: Garlic Herb Butter
2. Lemon Chive Butter
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
2 tablespoons chopped chives
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients into softened butter. Chill until firm.
Best With
Fish, baked potatoes, asparagus, peas, carrots, eggs, biscuits, and dinner rolls.
Link to Recipe Card: Lemon Chive Butter
3. Basil Tarragon Butter
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Mix all ingredients into softened butter. Chill before using.
Best With
Peas, corn, chicken, fish, pasta, summer vegetables, and warm bread.
Link to Recipe Card: Basil Tarragon Butter
4. Sage Thyme Butter
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon chopped sage
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients into softened butter until well combined. Chill until firm.
Best With
Chicken, pork, winter squash, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, dressing, and roasted mushrooms.
Link to Recipe Card: Sage Thyme Butter
5. Rosemary Parsley Steak Butter
Ingredients
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
1 small garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix all ingredients into softened butter. Chill until firm, then slice onto hot steak or vegetables.
Best With
Steak, burgers, roasted potatoes, mushrooms, grilled vegetables, and crusty bread.
Link to Recipe Card: Rosemary Parsley Steak Butter
Best Way to Store Compound Butter
Store compound butter in the refrigerator if it will be used within a few days. Keep it covered so it does not absorb other refrigerator odors.
For longer storage, roll the butter into a log, wrap tightly, and freeze. It can also be portioned into small scoops or slices before freezing so it is easier to use later.
Label the butter with the flavor and date. Use frozen compound butter directly from the freezer, or thaw it in the refrigerator before serving.
Cook’s Note
Compound butter is a practical way to use fresh herbs in a ready-to-use form.
For more fresh herb ideas, see:
Homemade Garden Pesto
How to Preserve Fresh Herbs for Culinary Use
Coming Soon: What Is Herb Paste and How Do You Use It?
